Hinged draught deflectors for vehicle opening roofs

ABSTRACT

A hinged deflector for a vehicle opening roof comprises a transverse flap adapted to be hingedly connected to the front end of the roof opening. A transverse sealing strip for attachment to the roof at the front end of the opening is provided with a rearwardly disposed part-circular bead having an outer curved surface with which the edge of the flap adjacent to the strip is adapted to make full facial abutment, at least when the flap is in either an operative upwardly and rearwardly inclined position or an inoperative downwardly and forwardly inoperative position.

United States Patent 11 1 Perks 1 HINGED DRAUGHT DEFLECTORS FOR VEHICLEOPENING ROOFS [75] Inventor: Joseph Perks, Birmingham, England [73]Assignee: Weathershields Limited, Birmingham, England [22] Filed: June28, 1971 [21l Appl. No.: 157.504

[52] U.S. C1. ..296/137 E, 296/91 [51] Int. Cl. .tB60j 7/22 [58] Fieldof Search ..296/137 E, 137 F,

296/137 H, 97 K, 97 H. 91, 152; 98/2.12, 2.14; 160/354; 49/383 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,156.175 11/1964 Werner..98/2.14

1368.841 2/1968 Grau .196/91 Primary ExuminerBenjamin Hersh AssistantE.raminerD. M. Mitchell Attorney-Scrivener. Parker, Scrivener & Clarke[57] ABSTRACT A hinged deflector for a vehicle opening roof com prises atransverse flap adapted to bc hingedly connected to the front end of theroof opening, A transverse sealing strip for attachment to the roof atthe front end of the opening is provided with a rearwardly disposedpart-circular bead having an outer curved surface with which the edge ofthe flap adjacent to the strip is adapted to make full facial abutment.at least when the flap is in either an operative upwardly and rearwardlyinclined position or an inoperative downwardly and forwardly inoperativeposition.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 1 H973 3.727. 973

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WEE! 3 (ll? 3 HINGEI) DRAUGHT DEFLECTORS FOR VEHICLE OPENING ROOFSSPECIFIC DESCRIPTION adapted to be closed by a panel assembly slidablein guides extending along each side of the opening and, when the panelassembly is moved rearwardly to uncover at least a part of the opening,the flap can be hinged manually about a transverse axis at the front endof the opening between a downwardly and forwardly extending inoperativeposition and at least one upwardly and rearwardly inclined operativeposition.

Hitherto, in hinged draught deflectors of the kind set forth the flap isconnected to a member at the front end of the opening by a pair oftransversely spaced hinges and the edge of the flange of the hinges andthe edge of the flap adjacent to the front end of the opening areexposed to the interior of the vehilce when the flap is in theinoperative or operative position.

Also hinged deflectors of the kind set forth incorporate locking meanswhich are engageable to hold the flap in any one of a plurality ofangularly spaced operative positions and which are releasable, by anoccupant of a vehicle, to permit the deflector, thereafter, to be hingedtowards the inoperative position. Such locking means do not alwaysoperate satisfactorily with the result that it may be impossible for theflap to be retained in an operative position. Furthermore, difficulty issometimes experienced in releasing the locking means to permit the flapto be returned to the inoperative position so that the panel assemblycan be moved longitudinally to close the opening.

When the flap is in the operative position a gap betwen the roof at thefront end of the opening and the adjacent edge of the flap allows smalldraughts to enter the passenger compartment when the vehicle is inmotion.

Due to recent legislation in the United States of America it is now arequirement that sharp edges and other projections which are likely toinjure an occupant of a vehicle, if the vehicle is involved in anaccident or is subjected to severe braking, are removed from orotherwise hidden within the interior ofa vehicle.

According to our invention in a hinged draught deflector of the kind setforth a transverse sealing strip for attachment to the roof at the frotend of the opening is provided with a rearwardly diposed part-circularbead having an outer curved surface with which the edge of the flapadjacent to the strip is adapted to make a full facial abutment at leastwhen the flap is in its operative and inoperative positions.

Thus, when in either the operative or inoperative position, the edge ofthe flap adjacent to the roof at the front end of the opening can at notime be exposed to an occupant of the vehicle.

The provision of the sealing strip provides an effective seal betweenthe flap and the roof at the front end of the opening, and there is nogap between the flap and the roof through which small draught can enterthe vehicle when the flap is in the operative position.

The flap is hingedly connected to the sealing strip at the front end ofthe opening by a pair of transversely spaced hinges of which the cornersof the flanges are rounded so that there is no danger of the hingescausing injury to a part of the body of an occupant of the vehicle whichmay contact them.

The flap is also hingedly connected to the roof at the front end of theopening by means of a third hinge assembly located at substantially themid-point between opposite ends of the flap. The hinge pin of the thirdhinge assembly is fast in one of the flanges and opposite ends of thepin which project from the hinge assembly are received within the beadof the sealing strip to enhance the engagement of the sealing strip withthe roof at the front end of the opening.

The other flange of the third hinge assembly is formed from twosuperimposed leaves which at their inner ends are shaped to embrace amajor portion of the peripheral edge of the hinge pin and provide afriction grip resisting angular movement of the flap about thetransverse axis. The frictional grip is chosen so that it is sufficientto hold the flap in the operative position which can be adjusted withina range of substantially 20 inwardly from a fully advanced operativeposition by moving the flap angularly about the transverse axis. Thefrictional grip can be increased or decreased by adjusting the effectivelength of an assembly connecting together the leaves at intermediatepoints in their lengths.

One embodiment of our invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a portion of a roof of a vehicleincorporating an opening adapted to be closed by a panel assembly, ahinged deflector being located at the front end of the opening;

FIG. 2 is an inverted plan view on an enlarged scale of a centralportion of the deflector;

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section on the line 44 of FIG. 1 showing the deflector in anoperative position; and

FIG. 5 is a section similar to FIG. 4 but showing the deflector in aninoperative position.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings an opening I in thefront end of a roof 2 of a vehicle is adapted to be closed by a panelassembly 3. The panel assembly 3 comprises a flexible fabric or likecovering supported by cross-members 5 adapted to slide in guide channels6 in the roof along each side of the opening 1. The covering 4 issecured to the roof at the rear of the opening 1. The front slidingcross-member incorporates handle-operated locking means 7 for engagementwith a cross-member assembly 8 secured at opposite ends to the guidechannels 6 at their front ends to draw the front sliding cross-memberforwardly to tighten the fabric covering and draw it down into closecontact with the surface of the roof around the opening I. The crossmember assembly 8 comprises a pair of substantially L-shaped members 9and 10 of which end flanges II and 12 are overlapped and are securedtogether to hold side flanges l3 and 14 in a spaced parallelrelationship. The skin of the roof 2 at the front end of the opening 1is clamped between the flange l3 and a transverse reinforcing strip 15.

In accordance with our invention a transverse hinged deflector I6 isprovided at the front end of the opening I. As illustrated in thedrawings the deflector 16 comprises a transverse sealing strip I7 ofresilient synthetic plastics material. The sealing strip 17 extendsbetween opposite ends of the cross-member assembly 8 which is hingedlyconnected to a transverse flap [8 and the sealing strip [7 is formedthroughout its length with a slot 19 of generally Tee outline in thebase of which is received a metal reinforcing strip 20. The sealingstrip 17 is secured to the flange 14 by means of screws 2 which arepassed through openings in the reinforcing strip 20 and are screwed intocomplementary openings in the flange 14. The lowermost rear edge of thesealing strip 17 leads into an integral downwardly extending bead 22which projects slightly to the rear of the flange ll of the uppermostmember 9. A shoulder 23 is formed at the point where the head 22 joinsthe rear face of the strip 17.

The flap 18 is formed from a convenient rigid or semi-rigid sheet ofplastics material of curved outline and is connected to the reinforcingstrip 20, which is embedded within the sealing strip 17, by means of apair of spaced hinge assemblies 24, and a third hinge assembly 25 spacedbetween the hinge assemblies 24 and located at substantially themid-point in the length of the flap 18.

The bead 22 is provided with a central bore 26 which extends betweenopposite ends of the sealing strip 17 for the whole of its length andthree local sections of the head 22 are removed at 27, 28 and 29 toaccommodate the three hinge assemblies.

The third hinge assembly 25 comprises a bifurcated flange 30 which issecured to the reinforcing plate 20 of the sealing strip 17 and which isprovided with a pair of spaced downwardly extending lugs 31, and aflange 32 of generally U-shaped section hingedly connected to the flange30 by a hinge pin 33 passed through the lugs 3|. The hinge pin 33, whichis suitably of nylon or other convenient synthetic plastics material, ismade fast in the lugs 31 by the provision of screws or pins 34 andopposite ends of the hinge pin 33, which project from the lugs 31, arereceived in the open ends of the bore 26 in the bead 22 to enhance theattachment of the sealing strip I7 to the hinge assembly 25.

The other flange 32 of the third hinge assembly 25 is constructed from ametal pressing defining opposed leaves 35 and 36 between which the flap18 is clamped and the leaves 35 and 36 are urged towards each other by aclamping assembly 17, suitable a nut and bolt, which is passed throughaligned openings in the leaves 35 and 36 which are aligned with anopening 19 in the flap 18. The inner ends of the leaves 35 and 36 leadinto a curved portion 38 which embraces a substantial portion of theperipheral surface of the pin 32 between the lugs 31 to form a frictiongrip when the clamping assembly 37 is tightened. The friction grip 37 issufficient to hold the flap in a fully open upwardly and rearwardlyinclined operative position as shown in FIG. 4 defined by the engagementof the flap 18 with a stop comprising the shoulder 23. This increasesthe seal between the edge of the flap 18 adjacent to the cross memberassembly 8 and the curved surface of the bead 22. Furthermore, thefriction grip is sufficient to hold the flap in any convenient angularposition spaced in wardly from that fully open operative position by asmall angular distance not exceeding for example 20. The flap 18 can beadjusted manually through this range of operative positions by angulardistances which will vary in accordance with the wind speed and thespeed of the vehicle. Throughout the range of operative positions theforward edge of the flap 18 is in engage ment with the bead 22 on thesealing strip 17.

The leaves 35 and 36 of the pressing are of domed outline and the freeend of the flange of each dome is in full facial abutment with anadjacent face of the flap 18. Since the covers of the leaves are roundedand the ends of the flanges are hidden there is no danger of the leavescausing injury to an occupant of the vehicle in which the deflector isinstalled.

Due to the curvature of the roof of the vehicle at the front of theopening 1 both of the members 9 and 10 of the cross-member assembly 8are also curved correspondingly and the flap 18 is formed of a similarcurvature to provide a substantially continuous surface with the roof atthe front of the opening when the deflector 16 is in its operativeposition. Thus, as the flap 18 is moved in a range betwen its fully openoperative position shown in FIG. 4 and an inoperative position shown inFIG. 5 in which the flap 18 extends downwardly and forwardly and viceversa, the forward edge of the flap 18 will move away from the crossmember assembly 8 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings To permit this tooccur the opening 39 in the flap through which the clamping assembly 37extends is elongated in a longitudinal direction normal to the axis ofrotation of the flap. Conveniently, as illustrated, the opening 39comprises a slot of generally Vee"outline terminating at the forwardedge of the flap 18.

The end flanges I1 and 12 of the cross-member assembly 8 are providedwith aligned openings through which a catch 40 carried by the lockingmechanism of the opening roof is adapted to pass for releasablecooperation with a keeper or catch plate 41 carried by the end flange11.

lclaim:

1. A hinged deflector for a vehicle opening roof of the type comprisinga vehicle roof having a front part in which is located an opening,guides on opposite sides of said opening, and a panel assembly slidablein said guides between a first position in which said opening is closedand a second position in which at least a portion of the opening at itsfront end is exposed, said hinged deflector comprising a transverse flapfor location at a front end of an opening in a vehicle roof and manuallyhingable about a transverse axis between a downwardly and forwardlyextending inoperative position and at least one upwardly and rearwardlyinclined operative position, said transverse flap having a forward edge,the invention comprising a transverse sealing strip for attachment to aroof at a front end of an opening, a rearwardly disposed part-circularhead on said strip having an outer curved surface with which saidforward edge of said flap is adapted to engage at least when said flapis in both said operative and inoperative positions, and hinge meanslocated substantially between opposite ends of said flap for connectingsaid flap to said sealing strip, said hinge means comprising a firstflange connected to said sealing strip, a second flange connected tosaid flap and a hinge pin hingably coupling said first and secondflanges, said hinge pin being fast in one of said flanges and havingopposite ends which project outwardly from said hinge assembly inopposite directions and which are received within said bead.

2. The invention as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said bead extendsrearwardly and downwardly from said sealing strip.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flap is alsoconnected to said sealing strip by a pair of transversely spaced hingeslocated on opposite sides of said hinge means.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinge pin is fastin spaced lugs in said first flange and outer ends of the hinge pinproject in opposite directions from said lugs.

5. The invention as claimed in claim I, wherein said second flangecomprises two continuous superimposed leaves having inner ends shaped toembrace a major portion of the peripheral edge of said hinge pin toprovide a frictional grip resisting angular movement of said flap aboutsaid transverse axis.

6. The invention as claimed in claim 5, wherein an assembly passedthrough aligned openings in said leaves and in said flap clampstogethersaid leaves and said flap, and means are incorporated foradjusting the effective length of said clamping assembly to vary saidfrictional grip.

7. The invention as claimed in claim 8, wherein said clamping assemblyextends through an opening in said flap and said last mentioned openingis elongated in a direction normal to said axis of rotation of saidflap.

8. In combination: a vehicle opening roof and a hinged deflector, saidcombination comprising a transverse flap located at the front end of anopening in a front part of a vehicle roof and having a forward edge,guides extending along each side of said opening, a panel assemblyslidable in said guides between a first position in which the opening isclosed and a second position in which at least a portion of said openingat its front end is exposed and, when said panel assemby is movedrearwardly to uncover at least a part of said opening,said flap can behinged manually between a transverse axis at said front end of saidopening between a downwardly and forwardly extending inoperativeposition and at least one upwardly and rearwardly inclined operativeposition, the invention comprising a transverse sealing strip attachedto said roof at said front end of said opening, hinge means couplingsaid flap to said sealing strip, and a rearwardly disposed part-circularbead on said strip having an outer curved surface with which saidforward end of said flap is adapted to engage at least when said flap isin both said operative and inoperative positions.

9. The invention as claimed in claim 8, wherein said hinge meanscomprises a pair of transversely spaced hinges and a third hingeassembly located between said hinge of said pair substantially betweenopposite ends of said flap at substantially the mid-point in the lengthof said flap, said third hinge assembly comprising a first flangeconnected to said sealing strip, a second flange connected to said flap,and a hinge pin hingedly coupling said first and second flanges and fastin one of said flanges, opposite ends of said hinge pin projectingmutually from said hinge assembly in opposite directions and received insaid bead.

10. The invention as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first flangeincludes spaced lugs from which said opposite ends of said hinge pinproject into said bead, and means are incorporated for making said hingepin fast in said lugs.

I I i i

1. A hinged deflector for a vehicle opening roof of the type comprisinga vehicle roof having a front part in which is located an opening,guides on opposite sides of said opening, and a panel assembly slidablein said guides between a first position in which said opening is closedand a second position in which at least a portion of the opening at itsfront end is exposed, said hinged deflector comprising a transverse flapfor location at a front end of an opening in a vehicle roof and manuallyhingable about a transverse axis between a downwardly and forwardlyextending inoperative position and at least one upwardly and rearwardlyinclined operative position, said transverse flap having a forward edge,the invention comprising a transverse sealing strip for attachment to aroof at a front end of an opening, a rearwardly disposed part-circularbead on said strip having an outer curved surface with which saidforward edge of said flap is adapted to engage at least when said flapis in both said operative and inoperative positions, and hinge meanslocated substantially between opposite ends of said flap for connectingsaid flap to said sealing strip, said hinge means comprising a firstflange connected to said sealing strip, a second flange connected tosaid flap and a hinge pin hingably coupling said first and secondflanges, said hinge pin being fast in one of said flanges and havingopposite ends which project outwardly from said hinge assembly inopposite directions and which are received within said bead.
 2. Theinvention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bead extends rearwardlyand downwardly from said sealing strip.
 3. The invention as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said flap is also connected to said sealing strip by apair of transversely spaced hinges located on opposite sides of saidhinge means.
 4. The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hingepin is fast in spaced lugs in said first flange and outer ends of thehinge pin project in opposite directions from said lugs.
 5. Theinvention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second flange comprisestwo continuous superimposed leaves having inner ends shaped to embrace amajor portion of the peripheral edge of said hinge pin to provide africtional grip resisting angular movement of said flap about saidtransverse axis.
 6. The invention as claimed in claim 5, wherein anassembly passed through aligned openings in said leaves and in said flapclamps togethersaid leaves and said flap, and means are incorporated foradjusting the effective length of said clamping assembly to vary saidfrictional grip.
 7. The invention as claimed in claim 8, wherein saidclamping assembly extends through an opening in said flap and said lastmentioned opening is elongated in a direction normal to said axis ofrotation of said flap.
 8. In combination: a vehicle opening roof and ahinged deflector, said combination comprising a transverse flap locatedat the front end of aN opening in a front part of a vehicle roof andhaving a forward edge, guides extending along each side of said opening,a panel assembly slidable in said guides between a first position inwhich the opening is closed and a second position in which at least aportion of said opening at its front end is exposed and, when said panelassemby is moved rearwardly to uncover at least a part of said opening,said flap can be hinged manually between a transverse axis at said frontend of said opening between a downwardly and forwardly extendinginoperative position and at least one upwardly and rearwardly inclinedoperative position, the invention comprising a transverse sealing stripattached to said roof at said front end of said opening, hinge meanscoupling said flap to said sealing strip, and a rearwardly disposedpart-circular bead on said strip having an outer curved surface withwhich said forward end of said flap is adapted to engage at least whensaid flap is in both said operative and inoperative positions.
 9. Theinvention as claimed in claim 8, wherein said hinge means comprises apair of transversely spaced hinges and a third hinge assembly locatedbetween said hinge of said pair substantially between opposite ends ofsaid flap at substantially the mid-point in the length of said flap,said third hinge assembly comprising a first flange connected to saidsealing strip, a second flange connected to said flap, and a hinge pinhingedly coupling said first and second flanges and fast in one of saidflanges, opposite ends of said hinge pin projecting mutually from saidhinge assembly in opposite directions and received in said bead.
 10. Theinvention as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first flange includesspaced lugs from which said opposite ends of said hinge pin project intosaid bead, and means are incorporated for making said hinge pin fast insaid lugs.